Recovering Vista file

[KingMe]

One of the drawbacks with new computers is that they no longer provide you
with CD/DVD with the Operating System. They store the OP in a hard drive
partition and ask you to create a Recovery Disc(s).
Problem is that if for any reason one of your system files is damaged, there
is no way to re-install it since if you use the Recovery Discs, it will end
up wiping out your files except the files installed before you took the new
PC home.
What is the option to recover a specific file?
I do not have a problem today, but I can see this scenario occurring in the
future.

 

[KingMe]

I have Genie Backup and Acronis but I was looking for a solution if those
third party backups were not performed since the PC is new and did not have
time to backup the system.
--
HP Pavilion Elite m9040n 2.4gh 3gb mem 640gb hard drive, dvd lightscribe
technology burner, Vista Home Premium, Office 2007

You should probably upgrade to Vista Business if you need "Complete PC
Backup". There are alternative complete backup apps.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

sfc /scannow from an elevated command prompt will check the state of the
system file set and replace those that are corrupted from system stores. The
recovery disks you speak of are factory-state reload disks, and similarly
you no longer expand individual files from the retail disks either. Part of
the supposed bloat of Vista is actually backups of system files and of the
system state for recovery without relying on a media disk.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

I have Genie Backup and Acronis but I was looking for a solution if those
third party backups were not performed since the PC is new and did not
have
time to backup the system.
--
HP Pavilion Elite m9040n 2.4gh 3gb mem 640gb hard drive, dvd lightscribe
technology burner, Vista Home Premium, Office 2007

You should probably upgrade to Vista Business if you need "Complete PC
Backup". There are alternative complete backup apps.

--
Please use the Communities guidelines when posting.
http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales/help/help_en-us.htm
Mark L. Ferguson MS-MVP
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Mark.Ferguson

In addition to Rick's advice, remember to run sfc /scannow from an elevated
command window. Click Start and type "cmd" in Start/Search but do not hit
Enter. Right click on the CMD icon at the top of the menu and choose Run As
Administrator. Type sfc /scannow (space after sfc) and hit Enter.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

One of the drawbacks with new computers is that they no longer provide you
with CD/DVD with the Operating System.

That's a drawback with *many* new computers, but not all. You always
have the option of buying a custom-built computer (for example from a
small local builder) and either having the builder supply and install
a CD/DVD or buying one yourself to install. Or buy the components and
build it yourself, if you're so inclined.

A custom builder is my personal choice. I wouldn't choose to buy a
computer without an installation CD/DVD. Besides, I want to choose the
specific components that go into my box. It may cost a little more,
but as far as I'm concerned, it's worth it.

There may even be *some* brand name computers that offer an
installation DVD, perhaps at an additional price. There used to be
several, but I'm not sure what the current situation is.

They store the OP in a hard drive
partition and ask you to create a Recovery Disc(s).
Problem is that if for any reason one of your system files is damaged, there
is no way to re-install

Use the command sfc /scannow

it since if you use the Recovery Discs, it will end
up wiping out your files except the files installed before you took the new
PC home.

That's true only if you don't have in place a regimen of backing up
your files to external media. If you don't, you're playing with fire,
not only for the reason you mention, but because of the ever-present
risk that you can lose everything to hard drive failure, user error,
severe power glitches, nearby lightning strikes, virus attacks, even
theft of the computer.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

One of the drawbacks with new computers is that they no longer provide you
with CD/DVD with the Operating System. They store the OP in a hard drive
partition and ask you to create a Recovery Disc(s).

This isn't alsways true. Some manufacturers do provide install media.
Sometimes you have to purchase it separately, and it is worth doing so.

Problem is that if for any reason one of your system files is damaged,
there
is no way to re-install it since if you use the Recovery Discs, it will
end
up wiping out your files except the files installed before you took the
new
PC home.

That depends on the details of the recovery procedure.

What is the option to recover a specific file?

This depends on the options provided by a specific recovery procedure.

I do not have a problem today, but I can see this scenario occurring in
the
future.

This is why you make backups. I use and suggest Acronis TrueImage. The
usual caveats apply: Do not rely on a single copy of the backup, do not
back up to the same physical disk, veryify and test your backups. Store at
least one copy at another physical location.

HTH
-pk

 

[Nonny]

That's a drawback with *many* new computers, but not all. You always
have the option of buying a custom-built computer (for example from a
small local builder) and either having the builder supply and install
a CD/DVD or buying one yourself to install. Or buy the components and
build it yourself, if you're so inclined.

A custom builder is my personal choice.

Same here: ME.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Same here: ME.

I've generally used a particular local builder who lets me specify the
components and build for me. His component prices are very good, and
he charges only $40 extra for assembly and a one year warranty.
Building is easy, but troubleshooting can be harder. I am by no means
a hardware expert, so I gladly pay him the extra $40 to have him be
responsible for any problems or incompatibilities and to have the
warranty.